My Viking Daddy - Completed

Chapter 4 - Bear's POV

After buying Yrsa's helmet, we go back out to my bike. I put her helmet on for her again. She doesn't protest, but I don't want to overstep any boundaries. I just feel this overwhelming need to protect her, and not just because I'm scared of what Lillie will do to me if anything happens to Yrsa.

We ride all the way to this little diner. We park on the other side of the street. We walk to the crosswalk and wait for our turn to go. I look down at Yrsa's hand and reach to grab it, but I stop myself. I want to hold her hand while crossing the street like a Daddy should, but we're not there yet.

There are a bunch of people with their dogs outside. I saw Yrsa's face light up as she stares at the happy tail wags. I completely expect her to run away from me and immediately pet them all, but she stays put like a good girl.

"Do you wanna pet them," I ask her, softly.

I wanted to add "princess" or "babygirl" to that. It pains me to see that cute little face and not be able to call her mine or any pet name I can think of.

She nods in response. I want to say "Use your words, princess," but I have a feeling she's trying to battle her little space right now. I wish she didn't have to. I wish she could be herself with me, but I have to wait for that. I have to earn that from her.

"Well, go up and ask them. They seem like nice people. I'll get us a table while you do."

She walks over to an elderly couple with a husky sitting beside them. I listen in to their conversation as I talk to the hostess to see if we can get a table outside, so she can be surrounded by all the doggies.

"I'm so sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if I could pet your dog," she asks the elderly couple politely.

Good girl, using her manners.

"Oh, you're no bother, dear," the woman says to her. "Of course you can pet her. She's very sweet and friendly."

She holds her hand out and lets the dog sniff. The dog's tail immediately starts wagging. She pets the dog, but not for too long. She doesn't want to overstay her welcome. She thanks the elderly couple and comes back over to me.

"I got us a table outside, so you can pet as many dogs as you want. As long as their owners are okay with it," I say to her, making sure she shows her manners, in a subtle way.

Her eyes sparkle and the biggest smile paints her face.

"Thank you so much," she exclaims.

"It's the least I could do, since somebody is stubborn and not letting me pay for lunch," I say playfully.

"Hey, you paid for my helmet. I don't wanna hear any complaints," she throws my playfulness back at me.

I chuckle and a waitress comes out with our menus and silverware. She leads us to our table and gives us everything we need.

"Can I start y'all off with some drinks," the waitress asks.

I nod to Yrsa to let her go first.

"I'll have a Dr. Pepper, please," she says.

"I'll have a water, please," I say.

"Alright, I'll give you some time to look over the menu and I'll be right back with those drinks," the waitress says and walks away.

"So, what made you want to come to America," Yrsa asks me.

"I don't know. I just felt as if there was a calling to come here, plus I wanted to get away from home for a while. Don't get me wrong, it's beautiful there. I just needed a change of scenery, I guess."

I can't tell her the real reason yet. It's true I felt a calling to come here, but I'm leaving some things out for now.

"Well I'm glad you decided to come here. It's nice having a new face in town."

"I'm glad I came here, too. You've already made my first day so welcoming and fun. Thank you."

"Of course, no need to thank me."

The waitress comes back with our drinks and places them on the table.

"Here's your drinks. Do y'all know what you want to order, or do you need a couple more minutes?"

"Go ahead, Yrsa. If you know what you want."

She smiles in response and turns her head towards the waitress.

"I'll have the chicken tenders with a side of mac 'n' cheese, please."

"Alright, and for you, sir," she says to me.

Something rubbed me the wrong way when she called me "sir." The only one who should be calling me that is Yrsa. I know she's just trying to be polite, and I'm not going to let a silly thing like that get to me.

"I'll have the burger with steak fries, please."

"Alright, I'll take your menus and put your order in. It should be out in a few minutes."

She takes our menus as Yrsa and I thank her.

"Yrsa, if you don't mind me asking, where'd your name come from. It's very interesting."

"Um, my mom read it in a book while she was pregnant with me and decided that's what she was going to name me. Why's it so interesting?"

"Well, in Norway, it's a woman viking name, meaning she-bear."

"Well, what does your name mean?"

"My real name is Bjorn, meaning Bear. Bear's always been my nickname since I was a kid and it sounds cool, that's why I go by that."

She giggles at me.

"Well, at least you're honest. That's really interesting. I'll have to tell my mom about that when I get home."

"You're going to tell your mother about me," I ask hopefully.

I hope I get the chance to meet her mother and I hope she likes me. She hasn't talked about her father much, but I don't want to push it. She'll tell me about it when she's ready.

"Of course I am. I always tell my mom everything, especially when I make a new friend."

Friend? I hope she doesn't mean that as just a friend. I don't mind being just friends right now, obviously. I just met her. I'm honored she thinks of me as a friend after just meeting today. It would break my heart if I was just her "friend" for forever, but at least I'd be by her side.

"I'm glad you think of me as your friend. I know we just met today, but I'm very happy to be your friend."

"I'm very happy you're my friend to, and I yours. If I am your friend, that is?"

"Of course you're my friend," I chuckle.

There it is again. That word. "Friend." I hope she doesn't think I'm trying to friends zone her either. I'd love nothing more than to be more than friends with her, but I'll have to wait. I'll wait as long as it takes.